For many Singapore companies, SOLIDWORKS is no longer a “nice-to-have” tool but a core part of product development and engineering. Yet when it’s time to budget for licenses, things can get confusing fast: perpetual vs term, on-premises vs cloud, subscription renewals, and optional add-ons. Here’s a clear, human-friendly breakdown of how SOLIDWORKS licensing and costs typically work in Singapore in 2025.
Understanding the Main Licensing Models
Most local businesses encounter three broad ways of getting SOLIDWORKS:
1. Perpetual Licenses (Buy Once, Maintain Annually)
With a perpetual license, you pay a higher upfront fee and the license is yours indefinitely. To stay current with new versions, you renew an annual subscription (sometimes called maintenance) that includes upgrades and solidworks support.
Perpetual licenses make sense if:
- You plan to use SOLIDWORKS for many years.
- You prefer CAPEX over ongoing OPEX.
- You want the option to skip upgrades in lower-cash years (not ideal, but possible).
2. Term or Subscription Licenses (Pay-as-You-Go)
Term licenses are paid annually or even monthly. You get access for a fixed period, along with updates and support while your subscription is active.
They fit well if:
- You’re a startup or project-based business.
- Headcount and software needs fluctuate.
- You want predictable, fully OPEX-based budgeting.
3. Cloud-Connected and 3DEXPERIENCE Options
Beyond classic desktop licensing, 3DEXPERIENCE-connected SOLIDWORKS bundles CAD with cloud data management and collaboration tools. You pay a recurring subscription, and your data and workflows are integrated into a single platform.
What Actually Drives Your SOLIDWORKS Cost?
When local teams ask, “How much does SOLIDWORKS cost?”, they’re really asking about several components:
- License Type & Tier – Standard, Professional, or Premium, plus any simulation, electrical, or PDM add-ons.
- Number of Users – Standalone licenses vs shared network licenses.
- Subscription / Maintenance – Annual fees that cover upgrades, bug fixes, and solidworks support from your authorised reseller.
- Implementation & Training – One-time onboarding, configuration, and skills ramp-up.
- Hardware & IT – Workstations, storage, and network requirements, especially if you add simulation or PDM.
Instead of chasing a single “price,” it’s more realistic to budget for a 3–5 year total cost of ownership, including training and ongoing support.
Making the Most of SOLIDWORKS Promotions
From time to time, authorised resellers run a solidworks promotion to encourage upgrades or new purchases. These might include:
- Discounts for adding additional seats.
- Bundle pricing for CAD + Simulation or CAD + PDM.
- Special deals for startups, SMEs, or educational partnerships.
If you’re planning a major rollout or upgrade cycle, it’s worth timing your purchase to align with a solidworks promotion. You can often secure more value—extra modules, training credits, or better pricing—without compromising on the tools you need.
Why Local SOLIDWORKS Support Matters More Than Ever
In 2025, the software itself has matured; the real differentiator is how quickly your team can get help when something breaks, slows down, or behaves strangely.
Quality solidworks support typically includes:
- Fast response for installation and activation issues.
- Guidance on best practices, templates, and standards for Singapore industries.
- Advice on performance tuning, PDM workflows, and simulation setups.
- Access to local training, webinars, and user events.
Strong local support reduces downtime, shortens learning curves, and protects your investment.
Practical Steps for Singapore Businesses
To pick the right mix of licensing and subscription for your team:
- List your roles and workloads – Designers, engineers, drafters, simulation specialists, project leads.
- Define must-have modules – Core CAD only, or do you need simulation, electrical, PDM, or cloud?
- Choose your licensing model – Perpetual vs term vs cloud-connected, based on cash flow and flexibility.
- Ask about current solidworks promotion options – See if bundle deals or SME programs match your roadmap.
- Evaluate the support package – Confirm response times, training options, and how issues are escalated.
By approaching SOLIDWORKS licensing as a strategic investment—not just a software purchase—you can lock in the right combination of tools, pricing, and support to carry your Singapore business confidently through 2025 and beyond.